Howard Battles Hampton In Four
By Jasmine King, Volleyball, Public Relations Major '13
HAMPTON, VA – The Howard University Lady Bison (1-17, 0-2 MEAC) went head-to-head with the Hampton University Pirates (8-8, 3-0 MEAC) as both teams fought point for point in the match held at Holland Hall on Friday night.
The Pirates shot their way to the top winning the match point in the fourth set 26-28 off two Lady Bison errors.
Howard started the match off slow losing 15-25. Set scores for the match were 15-25, 26-24, 18-25, 26-28.
The gym was crowded with Pirate fans, live music and a visiting secondary school. Energetic fans made the game intense. The Lady Bison fought and won long rallies as did the Pirates. After losing the first set, the Howard determined to take the third set from the Pirates. In the third set, both teams went point for point. The team stayed poised and finished out the set 26-24. Everyone held their breath as each point was rallied. Freshman Destinee Harrison played a huge role in putting up two major blocks to win the set.
Coming back from the intermission off the win, Howard lost sight of what it took to defeat the Pirates losing sets three and four. Though the Lady Bison put up solid blocks at crucial moments, the Pirates managed to out block HU nine to four. Sophomore Libero, Riana Cain, picked up 13 digs. The Pirates out dug 44 digs to Howard's 31.
The Lady Bison tried to give the Pirates a new look by mixing the line-ups and rotations. Senior, Tosin Elebute, dominated on the outside and right side finishing with the match-high of 19 kills and seven digs. Freshman middle blocker, Assata Conway, stepped up by putting ten balls to the floor. Stephanie Shultis finished just shy of a double-double with nine kills and 19 assists. Destinee Harrison recorded a career-best five kills and three blocks. Junior setter, Jasmine King, dished out 20 assists for the team.
For the Pirates, Sonja Maksimovic put down 14 kills, followed by Mianna Armstrong who finished with 11 kills and ten digs for a double-double. The ball was distributed evenly allowing various players to compete in the kill percentages. Setter, Juliana Chavez, dished out 39 assists.
Next up, the Lady Bison take on Norfolk St. in Norfolk, Va Sunday beginning at 3:00 pm.